Disk clutch



Oct. 7, 1941. R. laimzn-:R 'l

DISKACLUTCH Filed June l, 1940 y INVENTOR Ro/fard izuef' l H- ,IV swung!! v Passed ocr. r, 1941 ics msx cLU'rcn Richard Binder, schwein-ruft, Germany application June 12, 1940, serai N1. 340,099 v In Germany June 24, 1939 5 Claims. (Cl. 192-69) 'Ihe invention relates to disk clutches comprising friction disks alternately disposed and interconnected to relatively rotating parts 0f power transmitting driving and driven parts of the clutch. This inventionis particularly applicable on spring engaged multiple disk clutches for vehicles in which the disengagement of clutches is effected by axially shifting friction disks out oft each other thus permitting an intermediate disk to remain clear of the friction faces of inactive clutch disks on opposite sides thereof. These means are preferably spring-actuated with the result that owing to their automatic operation. special adjusting devices controlled by the driver may be dispensed with.'

These means allow an exact adjustment of the intermediate disk in the middle position excluding at the same time the disadvantageous influences hitherto always occurring in the inclined position of the clutch. Moreover, in contradistinction to known devices the adjustment so effected is absolutely independent of the wear of the clutch linings.

An embodiment of the invention is obtained Y a disk-body I constituting the stationary frictionby the provision at the circumference of the intermediate disk at least in two points of twoarmed levers which, under the action of springs, are swingably arranged about pivots while the ends 'of the arms bear against the oppositely situated friction surfaces vo! outer disks under the action of their springs. In comparison with springs or stops hitherto arranged at the side of the intermediate disk, the pivoted separating' levers provide the advantage that 'the outer disks are equally distanced from the intermediate disk and the latter disk is always positively adjusted into the exact middle position even on sloping Fig. 1 is a section through the axis of a clutch provided with the disk separating means, andv shown of the type in which a single intermediate durch disk is provided.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view partially in section of the circumference of the intermediate disk, taken somewhat along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but showing a clutch .of the multiple intermediate disk type.

Fig. 3 shows a section of a modified detail of the separating device, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device shown ,in Fig. 3 taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and illustrating a device limiting the amplitude of the separating device.

Like numerals designate like, parts throughout all figures of the drawing.

Referring to Fig. 1 the multiple disk clutch is composed of a casing la.' fixed for example on a driving shaft (not shown), and provided with disk, an axially movable friction disk 5 placed in the casing opposite to said disk body, an intermediate friction disk I, and driven disks Ii, I6 shiftably but non-rotatably mounted for example on the driven shaft Iii. When operating, all the clutch disks are pressed against each other by springs I2, while levers I3 can be operated by means of a shiftable clutch collar I4 when the clutch is to be disconnected. 'I'he friction disks I and 5 are positively connected to the casing la respectively through a lug I5 and the disengaging levers I3 so that the said parts rotate in unison. 'Ihe lined coupling disks I6 and I8 rotate with the shaft I0.

Two or more two-armed levers 2 are pivotally mounted upon pins 3 provided at the circumference of the intermediate clutch disk I. The two-armed levers with their one arm bear against the friction surface of the disk body I and with their other arm against the friction surface of Afthe pressure and friction disk 5 of the clutch. The two arms oi the lever 2 preferably are of equal length. By providing suniciently strong springs I (Fig. 2) rotation of these levers 2 about the pivot 3 is effected to eifect equal separation of the disks whenever the clutch is disengaged, so that the podtioning of the intermediate disk I in the middle with respect to the opposite disks l and l is assured.

Fig. 2 shows the separating device of the present invention applied to a clutch having a plurality of `intermediate disks I, each carrying its own set of spring-pressed separating levers 2, these intermediate disks being separated by vaxially movable friction disks la.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a modiiied construction,

.particularly a modiiied arrangement of the in the intermediate disk l. One end of this torsion spring 1 engages in a corresponding bore 'la "of the intermediate disk and theother end 'Ib of g Fig. 4 shows such a limiting device comprising a pin 8 xed to each lever 2 and extending into a respective bore 9 of the intermediate disk By means of the spring-pressed separating levers of the present invention an additional advantage is obtained. In clutches provided with two disks, rattling noises often occur during disengagement of the clutch, due to the play of the intermediate disk in its guides. By the use of suiiiciently strong springs 6, 1, it is easily possible to render the bearing pressure between the double-armed lever 2 and the friction surfaces l, and 5a so large that the friction prevents vimeans normally tending to rotate said lever about its pivotal support for disk spreading action.

3. In a multiple disk clutch of the type com- 'I prising a pair of outer friction disks and an interbration of the intermediate disk or disks within outer disks apart with respect to the interme-4 diate disk when said elements are disengaged, including a two-armed lever pivotally, supported -intermediate its ends to said intermediate disk and having its two arms slidably engaging said outer disks respectively to move said outer disks away from said intermediate disk upon rotation of said lever about its pivotal support, and spring means normally tending to rotate said lever about its pivotal support for disk 'spreading action.

2. In a multiple disk clutch of the type comprising a pair of outer friction disks and an intermediate disk connected for rotation with one element of the clutch, and other disks alternately arranged with respect to said outer and intermediate disks and connected to the other element of said clutch, means for positively spreading said outer disks apart with respect to the intermediate disk when said elements are disengaged, including a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends to said intermediate disk, and extending obliquely between said outer disks in disengaged position of said clutch with its outer ends slidably engaging said outerv disks respectively, whereby upon rotation .of said lever about its pivotal support said outer disks will be moved away from said intermediate disk, and spring mediate disk connected for rotation with one element of the clutch, and other disks alternately arranged with respect to said outer and intermediate disks and connected to the other element of said clutch, means for positively spreading said outer disks apart with respect to the inter-- mediate disk when said elements are disengaged, including a two-armed lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends to said intermediate disk and having its two arms slidably engaging said outer disks respectively to move said outer disks away from said intermediate disk upon rotation of said lever about its pivotaly support, spring means normallytending to rotate said lever about its pivotal support for disk spreading action, and stop means for limiting disk -spreading rotation of said lever.

4. In a multiple disk clutch ofthe type comprising a pair of outer friction disks and an intermediate disk connected forrotation with one element of the clutch, and other disks alternately arranged with respect to said outer and intermediate disks-and connected to the other element of said clutch, means for positively spreading said outer disks apart with respect to the intermediate disk when said elements are disengaged, including a two-armed lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends to said intermediate disk and f having its two arms slidably engaging said outer disks respectively to move said outer disks away from said intermediate disk upon rotation of said lever about its pivotal support, spring means normally tending to rotate said lever about its pivotal support for disk spreading action, said intermediate disk having a recess, and a pin secured to said lever at a'section thereof spaced from 'its pivotal support and extending with substantial play in said recess for limiting disk spreading rotation of said lever.

5. In a multiple disk clutch of the type comprising a group of disks connected for rotation with one element of the clutch, and other disks alternately arranged with respect toksaid group of disks and connected to the other element of said clutch, means for positively spreading the disks of said group apart when said elements are disengaged, including a plurality of independent levers pivotally supported intermediate their ends to alternate disks respectively of said group withthe outer ends of each lever slidably engaging respective adjoining disks of ysaid group on oppo site sides of said lever, and spring means normally tending to rotate said levers independently about their pivotal supports for disk -spreading action RICHARD BINDER. 

